Facts About Space Rovers

Space rovers are uncrewed motorized vehicles for planetary surface exploration, equipped with sensors, instruments, robotic arms, and samplers.

• First: Soviet Lunokhod 1 (Moon, 1970).
• Most famous: NASA's Curiosity (Mars, 2012), largest/advanced, >18 miles driven.
• Other Mars rovers: Sojourner (1997), Spirit & Opportunity (2003).
• ESA's ExoMars (2016).
• China's Zhurong (2020).

They study geology, climate, and search for signs of life—vital for solar system exploration.